Harvey Fierstein News

On October 22, executive producer Neil Meron and actors Shanice Williams, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, and NE-YO came together for a discussion and Q&A about THE WIZ LIVE! at the Apple Store, Soho (103 Prince Street). iTunes has just released footage and audio from the event, and you can check it out HERE!

Wondering how the classic has been updated now that it's back in London? Harvey Fierstein, who reworked the book for FUNNY GIRL's UK return, said he immediately cut 40 pages from the script. 'There was a diamond in there and it needed to be cut out,' he told the Mail. 'It's not that I've cut it to make it shorter -- I've edited it to make it stronger.' Fierstein added that he 'reshaped the show so it's all seen through Brice's eyes.'

Kinky Boots, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for Kinky Boots), will play at the Saenger Theatre from Feb. 16 - 21, 2016. Presented by the New Orleans Theatre Association, the production is part of the East Jefferson General Hospital Broadway in New Orleans 2015 - 2016 season.

Broadway's dreams of a Lea-Michele-led Funny Girl might be fading, but support for Menier Chocolate Factory's production, starring Sheridan Smith, is skyrocketing. The Daily Mail reports that the sold-out production will transfer to the West End's Savoy Theatre beginning April 9, 2016.

Presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth, KINKY BOOTS, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for KINKY BOOTS), is currently playing Bass Performance Hall through Nov. 1. In the video below, stars from the hottest show in Fort Worth talk about what makes KINKY BOOTS kick!

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced Manhattan Theatre Club will produce the world premiere of The Ruins of Civilization, the new play by award-winning playwright Penelope Skinner (The Village Bike), directed by Obie Award winner Leah C. Gardiner (Born Bad). This world premiere will be presented in spring 2016 as part of MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove(Executive Producer) just announced Manhattan Theatre Club will produce the world premiere of The Ruins of Civilization, the new play by award-winning playwright Penelope Skinner (The Village Bike), directed by Obie Award winner Leah C. Gardiner (Born Bad). This world premiere will be presented in spring 2016 as part of MTC's The Studio at Stage II - Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Series at New York City Center - Stage II (131 West 55th Street).

The journey to Oz can officially begin with THE WIZ LIVE!'s full cast easin' on down the road! NBC has finally revealed the complete company for upcoming holiday production, airing Thursday, December 3.

Whether it's Disney's Cinderella, A Cinderella Story, Ella Enchanted, Ever After, or some other variation, you know the story.  This classic fairy tale has been told time and time again.  It just never gets old!  And now, to make things even better, the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA is making its way to the Saenger Theatre tonight!  That's right, you and yours have the chance to experience the most magical evening of all during the most enchanted week of the year (of course, I'm referring to Halloween).

SpeakEasy Stage Company presents Harvey Fierstein's CASA VALENTINA, directed by Scott Edmiston in its New England premiere, running now through November 21, 2015. Opening night is set for tomorrow, October 27, 2015. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Presented by Performing Arts Fort Worth, Kinky Boots, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for Kinky Boots), will play at Bass Performance Hall tonight, Oct. 27, through Nov. 1.

Casting has been announced for the Fort Lauderdale engagement of Disney's NEWSIES. The Tony Award-winning production will begin performances at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, November 17 for a limited engagement through Sunday, November 29, 2015.

Kinky Boots, the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (Book) and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper (Tony Award-winner for Best Score for Kinky Boots), plays the Aronoff Center January 6 - 17, 2016 as part of the 2015-2016 Fifth Third Bank Broadway in Cincinnati Season presented by TriHealth. Tickets are on sale now and available at the Aronoff Center Box Office downtown at 650 Walnut Street, online at CincinnatiArts.org or by phone at 513.621.ARTS.

Pandora Productions continues the 2015-2016 season with a new play by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Torch Song Trilogy, La Cage aux Folles). Casa Valentina is based on a real life oasis in the Catskills of the 1960's.

Tonight, executive producer Neil Meron and actors Shanice Williams, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, and NE-YO got together for a Q&A on NBC's THE WIZ LIVE! at the Apple Store in Soho. BroadwayWorld is excited to give you the scoop on what the team revealed at the event!

Add another threat to the Tony-winning star's list of talents.

La MaMa will honor film producer Joy Tomchin for her activism on behalf of the LGBTQ communities; Donn Russell for his commitment to and support of nontraditional theatre; and Roberta Uno for her leadership in philanthropy and cultural diversity at the annual La MaMa Gala on Monday, November 2nd at La MaMa's Ellen Stewart Theatre (66 E. 4 St.), it has been announced by Mia Yoo, the theater company's Artistic Director.

Enter your video to win a prize pack from NBC's The Wiz Live! in honor of The Wiz's 40th Anniversary!

Tonight, October 22 (8PM) join executive producer Neil Meron and actors Shanice Williams, Elijah Kelley, David Alan Grier, and NE-YO for a discussion and Q&A about 'The Wiz Live!', at the Apple Store, Soho (103 Prince Street). To attend the special event, register at: https://s.apple.com/dE0c9J2R7g.

Today, BWW catches up with Alison Dooley, Williams' Rahway High drama teacher who has been in close contact with her former student since rehearsals for the production got underway.